ODM on Friday escalated its internal purge, kicking out
deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi and restarting the process to remove
secretary general Edwin Sifuna.
The development comes even as the party welcomed back former
secretary general Ababu Namwamba to the fold, fuelling speculations that he could
replace Sifuna.
The dramatic developments unfolded during a charged Special
National Delegates Convention held at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi.
The party formally installed Oburu Oginga as its new leader
following the death of his brother, Raila Odinga.
The high-stakes meeting, attended by thousands of delegates
from across the country, marked a turning point for the party as it seeks to
consolidate power, manage internal divisions and position itself ahead of the
2027 General Election.
In a sweeping reorganisation, the delegates ratified a new
lineup of top officials, including Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and
Kisii Governor Simba Arati as deputy party leaders.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was approved as national
chairperson, with Turkana South MP John Ariko named her deputy.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi was endorsed as the national
organising secretary, deputised by Ruth Odinga, further cementing the influence
of regional heavyweights in the party’s new power structure.
At the same time, the convention handed Oburu sweeping
powers, including a mandate to initiate coalition talks with President William
Ruto’s UDA as part of a broader strategy to negotiate ODM’s place in the
country’s political future.
But it was the party’s hardline stance on internal dissent
that stole the show.
In what insiders described as a “political bloodbath,”
delegates rejected Osotsi’s position as deputy party leader and endorsed fresh
efforts to remove Sifuna from his influential role as secretary general.
“The SNDC takes note of the Political Parties Disputes
Tribunal decision on the matter of Edwin Sifuna, and the relevant party organs
will initiate the necessary processes in accordance with the constitution and
applicable laws,” Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo announced while
reading the resolutions.
The move came just a day after the Political Parties
Disputes Tribunal directed ODM and Sifuna to resolve their dispute through the
party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism.
ODM’s decision to restart the removal process, in line with
the tribunal’s guidance, signals that Sifuna’s position is increasingly
untenable despite the legal reprieve.
The unfolding purge has laid bare deep-seated divisions
within the party, with a faction of leaders accusing the current leadership of
intolerance and sidelining dissenting voices.
Adding intrigue to the political drama was the re-emergence
of Ababu Namwamba, the former ODM secretary general, who made a surprise
appearance at the convention to a thunderous reception from delegates.
Namwamba, who previously fell out with ODM and later joined
the government, is now widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Sifuna if the
removal process is completed.
His return follows recent high-level engagements, including
a meeting with Raila Odinga’s widow, Ida Odinga, and consultations with party
delegates in Busia—moves that had already fuelled speculation about his
political comeback.
“I’m delighted to be among comrades. Twenty years ago, we
started a party to pursue power and make Kenya better,” Namwamba told the
cheering crowd.
“We have come a long way as a party. We have resisted, we
have taken hardline positions, and now we are in close proximity to power. Let
us consolidate that power,” he added.
In his maiden address as party leader, Oburu Oginga struck a
firm but measured tone, warning that indiscipline would not be tolerated even
as he sought to project ODM as a democratic outfit.
“We are not going to have a party of expelling people, but
we are going to stick to democracy,” he said.
“One of the cardinal principles of democracy is that the
minority will have their say, but the majority will have their way,” he added,
in remarks widely interpreted as a warning to dissenting members.
Oburu further outlined ODM’s negotiating position in its
anticipated engagement with UDA, stressing that the party would not compromise
on its existing political strongholds.
“Where ODM has MCAs, MPs, women representatives, senators
and governors, that is non-negotiable. That is ODM. We start from there,” he
said.
He also dismissed claims that the party had been compromised
by its evolving political alignment.
“ODM is not bought. Bought by who? At my age, can somebody
buy me?” he posed, drawing laughter and applause from the delegates.
However, cracks within the party were evident during the
convention.
Winnie Odinga, Raila’s daughter, appeared to criticise the
leadership’s handling of dissent, warning that the party risked alienating some
of its members.
“I feel as a party that we may be leaving some of our
members behind. We want a party that opens doors, not closes them—a party that
listens to concerns,” she said.
She also called for a renewed focus on youth inclusion,
urging ODM to create opportunities and systems that work for young people.
The tensions were further underscored by a fiery warning
from National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who declared that ODM
would field its own presidential candidate if its demands are not respected in
any coalition arrangement.
“If you joke with us, we will also produce a presidential
candidate and meet on the ballot,” he said.
“Don’t threaten ODM. Respect ODM. ODM is a big party. We can
do anything,” he added.
Abdulswamad and Arati sought to strike a conciliatory tone, pledging to unite the party
and expand its support base following the loss of its long-time leader.
They emphasised the need to uphold ODM’s core values,
including dialogue, inclusivity and the protection of citizens’ rights and
freedoms.
Abdulswamad, in particular, defended the party’s strategy of
engagement in the current political climate, pushing back against critics who
have branded ODM a “sellout.”
“To talk is not weakness. It takes strength to sit down with
those you disagree with and find a way forward,” he said.
“Anyone can stand and insult, but real leadership is knowing
when not to use a hammer to kill a fly,” he added.
